Tapeats Creek, Arizona, USA

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Tapeats Creek, Arizona, USA

Tapeats Creek, Arizona, USA
Lives saved

1

Hiking

Hiking

Desert

Desert

Medical emergency

Medical emergency

Hiking

Tapeats Creek, Arizona, USA

36.3861764°N, -112.4570264°W

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Jay

What happened?

  

Six of us were hiking the Thunder River/Deer Creek loop on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We had researched the trip thoroughly and prepared for the hike. About halfway down the red wall on the previous day, Jay took a pretty hard fall after slipping on some scree. In the process he had a pretty sore leg and some bruises and scrapes. We considered ending his trip and hiking back to the top, but he said he was ok to go on (he was at that point) and this was a “trip of a lifetime”. We split into 2 groups, and the rest of the day was slow going. His group of 3 arrived at camp at dusk, several hours later than planned.

The next morning, we were all refreshed and Jay said he felt good and ready for the day. We had a shorter hike that day and allowed everyone to break camp a little later for added recuperation. We hiked for about an hour along the west side of Tapeats Creek at a slow but steady pace. Then, as we hiked up and over one of the slopes, Jay lost his footing again and this time took a very hard fall on to his knee and arm and broke his trekking poles. At that point, Jay said he could not go on (he though maybe his arm was broken and he could not walk). The thought of toughing it out and continuing the hike was impossible at that point. Reluctantly, we used the beacon — it was the right thing to do. Jay was evacuated by GCNP search and rescue and was found to have a fracture in his knee. He would not have made it out given his injury and the desert conditions. Thankful to have the beacon!

Words of wisdom

(1) The search and rescue team had a hard time spotting us from the air. I used a signal mirror and the pilot said that’s how they were able to locate us. (2) Not saying we made the wrong choices, but be realistic in your abilities to continue and don’t let the emotion concerning your trip lead you to make unwise decisions.

Thank you note

When I bought the beacon I did so never intending to use it. And though our story is not as harrowing as some others, our ACR beacon did just what we bought it for — it brought needed medical attention to our remote location. Thanks!

Rescue location

Tapeats Creek, Arizona, USA

Rescue team

Local Search and Rescue

ResQLink™+

Go to product details

This Product has been Upgraded. Click Here for Available Upgrade. It may be small, but it's tough. The ResQLink™+ Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a buoyant, GPS-enabled rescue beacon that's suited for outdoor adventures of all sizes (think: everything from hiking and cycling to hunting and fishing). Should you run into an unexpected survival situation, the ResQLink+ PLB will relay your location to a network of search and rescue satellites, allowing local first responders to more easily get you home safe and sound. Be Prepared for the Unpredictable!  
  • Buoyant
  • LED strobe light
  • Self Test
  • 66 Channel GPS
  • Easy emergency activation
  • Antenna clip

WARNING: PROP 65

Out of stock

ResQLink™+ saves lives

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